You’ve booked your flight to the United States, found the perfect hotel, and maybe even planned your first stop—Times Square, the Grand Canyon, or perhaps Space Mountain at Disneyland. You’ve ticked everything off your checklist until someone mentions a US travel authorisation, and suddenly you’re taking to the internet to find answers.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) application process may feel confusing at first, but Remitly aims to make it as straightforward as possible. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from the ESTA application process to costs, common issues, and when you’ll need a traditional tourist visa instead.
What is ESTA and do you need it?
The UK is one of more than 40 countries that are part of the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), meaning British travellers don’t need a traditional tourist visa to visit the US for short trips. Instead, you apply for an ESTA.
Even if you’re just passing through the country in transit to another destination by air or sea, you’ll still need ESTA linked to your passport—without it, you could be denied boarding or risk missing your connection.
ESTA vs. US tourist visa
Let’s break down and clarify the differences between ESTA and a traditional B2 tourist visa to help you know exactly what steps to take when planning your trip to the US.
| Factor | ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | B2 Tourist Visa |
| Length of Stay | Up to 90 days per visit | Up to six months (extensions are possible under some conditions) |
| Application | Online | Embassy/Consulate interview required |
| Cost | $40 USD | $185 USD |
| Processing time | Usually within minutes, but up to 72 hours | Weeks to months |
| Who’s it for? | Citizens of VWP countries | Non-VWP citizens or travellers ineligible for ESTA |
Failing to meet eligibility for ESTA will mean a visa is required instead—which can take significantly more time and effort. Preparing early for your trip will help you avoid the last-minute rush and reduce unnecessary stress.
Business activities on ESTA and B2 visas
It’s important to note that neither the ESTA nor the B2 visa allow formal, paid employment, paid internships, or running a business. Any activity that involves receiving a salary, working for a US employer, or taking on paid internships requires a separate work visa.
What both ESTA and the B2 visa do allow is short-term, unpaid business activities in the US. This could include:
- Attending a conference
- Attending meetings
- Participating in unpaid training
- Negotiating contracts
- Consulting with colleagues
- Unpaid volunteer work
Being aware of these restrictions ensures you stay compliant and avoid complications at the border.
ESTA eligibility and requirements
The first thing you’ll need to check is the list of countries that are part of the visa waiver program. The UK is included, but if you hold dual citizenship with another country and plan to travel on a different passport, you’ll need to confirm whether that passport qualifies.
Another important factor is that your passport must be an e-passport with a digital chip. This allows ESTA to be electronically linked to your passport. Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay.
Reasons for ineligibility
To avoid hiccups and delays, double-check you’ve entered all the correct details when filling out the application. However, many disqualifications come from a person’s previous history. You may be ineligible for ESTA if:
- You’ve been denied a US visa in the past
- You have certain criminal convictions, particularly serious offences
- You’ve travelled to restricted countries, such as Iraq, Iran, Sudan, North Korea, Syria, Somalia, Cuba, Yemen, or Libya in recent years
If you believe your history could prevent approval, check the official ESTA guidelines or seek guidance from an immigration professional who can help advise you on this.
If your application is denied, you can only reapply if your circumstances have changed. Otherwise, any reapplication will also be denied. If your circumstances haven’t changed, you will need to apply for a nonimmigrant tourist visa.
How to apply for ESTA: Step-by-step
Unlike traditional visa applications, ESTA is straightforward, and approval comes within 72 hours.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Visit the official ESTA website (avoid third-party services, as they can add unnecessary costs).
Step 2: Fill in your details, including your passport number (the passport you will travel on) and personal information like your date of birth, address, contact details, and current or previous employer information.
Travel plans don’t need to be finalised before applying for ESTA, but you’ll need to provide a contact in the US where you’ll be staying in order to complete the application.
Step 3: Answer eligibility questions honestly—these cover topics like past travel and criminal history.
Step 4: Double-check details before submitting (typos are a common cause of problems).
Step 5: Pay the fee using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
Step 6: Wait for approval. If your approval takes longer than expected, you can check your status on the official website to see if approval is pending or if any additional information is needed.
Everyone travelling, including children and infants, is required to have ESTA approval. If you’re travelling with others, you can create a group application with a primary contact to keep everything in order, which is especially useful for larger families or parties.
ESTA costs
The cost for ESTA application is $40 USD. This includes a $10 USD non-refundable processing fee, which you are charged at the time of application. If your application is accepted, you will be charged the remaining $30. If your application is denied, no further charges will be made.
If you choose to use a third-party website to manage your application, do so with caution. You will likely be charged additional fees to cover their own processing costs, but they cannot guarantee approval or speed up the process. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) isn’t affiliated with any third-party websites. It recommends anyone who uses one to verify their application is correctly recorded on the official site.
ESTA approval: What travellers should know
Once approved, keep the following in mind before you pack your bags:
- Validity period: ESTA is valid for two years, or until your passport expires (whichever is first). If you change passports, or your personal details or eligibility change, you’ll need to reapply.
- Entry into the US: While ESTA confirms your eligibility to travel to the US, it doesn’t guarantee entry. The final decision lies with the border agent.
- Multiple entries: You can enter the US multiple times, but each stay is limited to 90 days. Bear in mind that frequent attempts at reentry may raise suspicion, and you may be denied entry.
- Changed plans: If your flight, hotel, or itinerary changes, your ESTA remains valid—no need to reapply.
- Renewal: Once your ESTA expires, you must submit a new application and pay the fee—there is no automatic renewal. If your ESTA expires while you are in the US, don’t worry—it only needs to be valid when you enter.
- Lost passport: ESTA is tied to your passport. If you lose your passport, you’ll need to reapply with your new passport details.
Common ESTA problems and solutions
The official ESTA website has an extensive help section with common questions and issues to help you navigate any doubts or problems that may arise when applying.
Let’s look at some of the more common problems and how to solve them.
Incorrect information
You’ll have the chance to review all your details before submitting, so be sure to double-check everything carefully. Is your middle name listed on your passport? Did you forget to include it in your application? Small errors like this can slow the process.
The ability to correct errors before you submit depends on the type of error:
| Error type | Can it be corrected before submitting? |
| Passport number, passport issuing country, country of citizenship, date of birth | No |
| Any other information | Yes |
If you make a mistake that cannot be corrected before submitting, or discover a mistake after submitting, you’ll need to submit a new application and pay the processing fee again. Some non-critical information, like your US contact address and your email address, can be updated after approval.
Technical errors
If you experience technical issues during your application, like problems with your browser, internet connection, or issues with the website, try switching to a different browser, checking the guidance on the official ESTA website, or contacting support.
Payment issues
Sometimes, applications fail because the payment can’t be processed. Payments are made in US dollars, and while most debit and credit cards are accepted, your card must be authorised for international payments.
Urgent travel situations
If you need to travel to the US at very short notice, keep in mind that there is no way to expedite the ESTA application process. Many approvals come through within minutes, but it can take up to 72 hours. If you book a last-minute flight before applying, you run the risk of not receiving the approval in time. Apply as early as possible to avoid unnecessary stress.
Travel to the US with confidence
Applying for ESTA may feel intimidating at first, but once you understand what’s involved, you’ll be back to planning the rest of your trip in no time!
The key things to remember are:
- Apply early
- Always use the official ESTA website
- Double-check your passport and details before submitting
- Remember that ESTA is valid for two years (or until your passport expires), and each visit cannot be longer than 90 days
Using this guide as a resource will help make your application more straightforward—leaving you with more time to finalise your plans and continue preparing for your trip.
FAQs
How long does ESTA approval take?
ESTA approval sometimes comes within minutes but can take up to 72 hours, so avoid leaving it until the last minute to apply.
Can I apply for ESTA if I have a criminal record?
It depends. Minor infractions may not matter, but serious convictions often require a full visa application. You can still apply for ESTA with a criminal record, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be approved.
What happens if my ESTA expires while I’m in the US?
As long as your ESTA was valid when you entered the US, there shouldn’t be an issue as long as you leave before the 90 days are up.
Can I work in the US with ESTA authorisation?
ESTA is only valid for tourism, leisure, and short-term business. “Short-term business” means unpaid business-related activities like attending meetings or conferences, or negotiating contracts. You can’t work or study on ESTA.
Do children need their own ESTA?
Yes. Regardless of age, every traveller in your party must have their own ESTA approval before travelling.